Red Bull team advisor Dr Helmut Marko says that its former engine supplier Renault is partly to blame for Red Bull's aerodynamic issues in 2019.
The energy drink squad has suffered from aero problems at the opening four races of the season, but insists that it will be introducing a fix at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.
Red Bull split from Renault at the end of the 2018 season in favour of Honda, who spent 2018 with Toro Rosso. So far this year, Red Bull has picked up one podium finish, which came at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
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Marko praised the Japanese manufacturer, saying to Auto Bild that "until now, the lack of downforce has been our problem".
"The design of the car was due to the lack of engine performance of our former engine partner, so we had to design for efficiency", Marko added.
"We have lost time in the corners, but Honda has significantly improved their performance and we can now react."
Marko believes that Max Verstappen has been the only consistent driver so far this year.
After picking up a podium in Melbourne, the Dutchman followed it up with a series of fourth place finishes, splitting the Ferraris at the finish line in Bahrain, China and Azerbaijan.
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Marko is confident that Verstappen is ready to fight for a world championship now that he is in his fifth year in Formula 1.
"Hamilton, Bottas, Vettel and Leclerc have all had their ups and downs," Marko commented.
"Only Max has been flawless so far and has always made the most of the car. Max has even done more than the real potential of the car.
"He is completely ready for the title. In Barcelona we now have to prove that we are too."
What a bloody crap excuse, you knew what engine was going in this year's car for a long long time!
It's response to Renault claim from a week a go that RB is "here" because of them... www.gptoday.net/en(...)or-red-bull-success
I think they are about even. The thing with Renault's comment is: could Red Bull have done just as well with another engine? And my answer to that would be yes. Red Bull got where they are thanks to good chassis development, not because of an exceptionally powerful engine. But what Red Bull designed for this year has nothing to do with Renault. The development of the chassis around the PU is between RB and Honda, Renault isn't connected to that. And Honda were early with providing dimensions and such for their 2019 spec PU, as confirmed by both Honda and Red Bull, so it was a mute point from Marko to begin with.
I would say this shows early signs of senility but he's been saying stupid stuff like this for years. He's in for a rude awakening if that bubble he's living in ever bursts. Max has been driving well this year and even though I never thought I'd say it he looks like he's finally maturing in the car and in life. But he's not the only driver who has been driving consistently so far this season.
Hihi, he partly is right. In Bahrein Renault cost Max the podium ?
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mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Yep. They are no more than silly allegations. He might as well blame Renault for Brexit, and failed Mars landing mission.